A country that upholds
the values of peace
by abolishing its army…
A president
who rescued thousands
of refugees’ lives…
A former US
vice president who brings
the world’s attention
to global warming…
A celebrity
who advocates
for human rights…
An animal lover
who works tirelessly
for the defenseless…
An international
organization
that provides
humanitarian aid
regardless
of national boundaries…
A worldwide
humanitarian agency
that protects human life
and alleviates suffering

These are among some of
the distinguished people,
countries
and organizations
in our present day society
that have made
a positive difference
on our planet through
their noble actions.

For the purpose
of recognizing
these caring actions,
and in response to
the reports about many
positive developments
in the world,
Supreme Master
Ching Hai founded
the Shining World
Leadership Award
in March 2006.
The pure crystal award
represents
the shining noble ideals
of the honored
individuals, nations
and organizations
whose pioneering work
and selfless dedication
have significantly
contributed to
the harmony and beauty
of our planet.

“Thank you
for this award
and most significantly,
thank you
for the work you’ve done
and are doing, and are
encouraging others to do
to awaken humanity
to its responsibility – to
live a compassionate life
and to do so in honoring
the spirit in all beings.”

The founder
of the Shining World
Leadership Award,
Supreme Master
Ching Hai,
is a world- renowned
spiritual leader,
humanitarian and artist,
who herself has brought
immense benefits
to the world through
her inspiring words
and shining example.
Supreme Master
Ching Hai’s
own selfless service
and devotion to all beings
have been highly lauded
by world leaders
and governments.

She also brings love
around the world
where there is hate.
She brings hope where
there is despair, and
she brings understanding
where there is
misunderstanding.
We don't have
enough people
like the Supreme Master.
If we had somebody
like her in every country
in the world, we will
have eternal peace,
eternal love.

Love
your family members
wholeheartedly;
sacrifice for them
whenever necessary.
And to other members of
mankind just show
your love universally,
and help
whoever needs your help.
That is the way of love.

Supreme Master
Ching Hai’s
wisdom and compassion
have been a source of
inspiration for countless
people worldwide.
And she
further encourages
positive work through
the Shining World
Leadership Award.
Thank you,
Shining World Leaders!

For her diverse
concentration of both
land and marine wildlife,
the Republic of
South Africa has been
ranked as one of
the world’s 17
mega-diverse countries,
which contain
the majority of
the Earth’s species.

Mr Fundisile Mketeni (m):
South Africa is
a mega-diverse country.
We are number three
in the world after
Brazil and Indonesia,
as mega-diverse.

HOST:
One of the crucial
marine species native to
South Africa, as well as
neighboring Namibia,
is the Cape fur seal.
By the early 20th century,
Cape fur seal populations
of southern Africa were
decimated due to culling.
Fortunately, in 1990, the
previous South African
government suspended
the cruel practice.
The present
South African
government has
continued to honor
the suspension of killing
seals, thus allowing
their numbers to recover
within its borders.

Mr Fundisile Mketeni (m):
Yes, we continued with
the good work
for various reasons.
We do look at species,
we do look at ecosystems.
Therefore, in this context
of seal conservation,
we looked at both.
We looked at the numbers
and then we looked at
their colonies.
Hence, we feel that it’s
our job and our mandate
to conserve our heritage,
our biodiversity,
our future.
We’ll continue with this
as long as the species are
threatened out there.

SMTV(f): Do you think that
the seals intuitively feel
that they are safe in the
South African waters?

Mr Fundisile Mketeni (m):
They do.
Firstly, remember that
there are gregarious or
social animals in nature.
They live in families.
Remember in the 1990s,
they’ve increased
from 1.5 up to 2 million
in the region, the seals,
because of that work.
Now they are starting to
move in the southern
region, between Angola,
Namibia, and South Africa,
because they feel safe.
I also want to add that
because of
our accruements
and our work,
they are not only safe in
our shores; they are also
safe in the whole region.
I know
they are clever animals,
they are social animals.
Therefore,
they feel that safety.

HOST: The South African
Department of
Environmental Affairs
has been working to
preserve the seals’ habitat.

Mr Fundisile Mketeni (m):
We are concerned about
cruelty to wildlife,
the inhumane approach
to wildlife.
If we destroy the habitats
of these seals,
this is also inhumane.
Therefore, by conserving
the colonies,
the eco-systems,
our oceans, we know that
we lessen cruelty
to the seals.

But while outlawed in
South Africa since 1990,
the massacring of seals is
still permitted in Namibia,
where up to 85,000 pups
and 6,000 adult male seals,
or bulls, are authorized
to be clubbed
and shot to death
each year, and their skins
sold to the fur trade.
Seal Alert-South Africa,
founded in 1999
by Francois Hugo,
has been tirelessly
investigating injustices
done to Cape Fur Seals,
rescuing and
rehabilitating them.
Seal Alert-SA also
secured the unbanning of
seals from extinct
former seal islands,
and repopulated
one extinct seal island
after 200 years extinction,
which led to the doubling
of their offshore habitat.

Francois: Through major
international pressure
and media attention,
South Africa thought that
it was in their best
interest to basically stop
the sealing industry.
Unfortunately, the sealing
industry restarted all over
again in Namibia
and it is now increased
to numbers that have
never been seen before.

HOST:
For his work for the seals
in Namibia, the dedicated
South African
Mr. Francois Hugo
was honored with
the Shining World
Compassion Award by
Supreme Master
Ching Hai.
Apart from supporting
seal protection efforts in
Canada, over three years,
Supreme Master
Ching Hai
has contributed to
the end of the massacre
of the Cape fur seals
outside of South Africa
through donations
totaling US$350,000
to Seal Alert-SA.

Upon
Supreme Master Ching Hai’s
recommendation,
Seal Alert-SA
also formed the new
Seal Welfare Alliance
of organizations,
which includes
South Africa’s Society
for the Prevention of
Cruelty to Animals and
international groups.
During a 2009 media
interview in Ireland,
as on other occasions,
Supreme Master Ching Hai
spoke about
the importance of
saving the seals that
balance not only
their ecosystem
but also the whole planet
as it faces climate change
and other urgent threats
to its survival.

The seals
have conveyed that it is
important for them to be
allowed to stay on Earth
– not for themselves,
but so they can continue
doing their job, which is
to keep the Earth
in balance with love.
You see, the seals and
the whales emanate an
incredible, great power
of divine love,
an unconditional love
that could be likened to
that between a mother
and her child.
They anchor and distribute
this wave of love
across our planet.
And it is this love that is
sustaining our planet
and keeping it from
destruction up to now.
So, we should never ever
hunt and kill these noble,
gracious helpers of
humankind and the planet.

The South African
government also sees the
safeguarding of the seals
and all wildlife
as necessary
in the bigger picture.

Mr Fundisile Mketeni (m):
Since 1994, we have
developed laws, we have
made interventions.
We’ve taken
hard decisions,
not only on seals,
the questions around
abalone (sea snails),
the question around
elephants, the question
around many species.
It showed
our commitment
as government in dealing
with our environment.
Because we know
environment is our future.
We normally say
in this department,
“If we don’t do good
now, we’d better start
apologizing to
the next generations.”
That’s our conviction,
that we want to do good
now as government
to protect our wildlife.
Because our wildlife
is our heritage,
is our future.
We need support from
the global community.

HOST:
For their benevolent
life-sparing policy of
continuing the seal ban,
Supreme Master Ching Hai
honored
South Africa with
the Shining World
Leadership Award.
Accepting the award
on the country’s behalf
were representatives of
the South African
Department of
Environmental Affairs,
Director-General
Ms. Nosipho Ngcaba and
Deputy Director-General
Mr. Fundisile Mketeni.
The following is
an excerpt from
Supreme Master Ching Hai’s
letter of appreciation:

“It is with warm-hearted
admiration and gratitude
that we present to
South Africa
the “Shining World
Leadership Award.”
This Award is presented
in recognition of
her distinguished
conservation efforts
in protecting
seal populations…
A new seal colony has
been discovered quietly
growing in numbers
on an island
off the Angolan coast,
and other groups of seals
have been returning to
South African waters
following the
government’s suspension
of seal hunting in 1990…

The alternatives
to seal products can help
stimulate innovative new
industries in your rapidly
developing country
and provide
export opportunities
as western consumers
crave for cruelty-free
no-kill products.
We are touched and
gladdened that your
Department is assisting
Africa to step up into
the light of a dawning
new civilization where
all beings, both human
and animal, can co-exist
in safety and harmony.

For selflessly working
to help sustain
planetary biodiversity,
for the benefit of
all humanity,
for your vision, wisdom,
creativity and kindness,
and for being a dedicated
and noble role model,
we hereby applaud
and celebrate
the compassionate deeds
of the Republic of
South Africa
with special thanks to
Deputy Director
Mr. Fundisile Mketeni,
and the dedicated officers
of the Department of
Environmental Affairs.
With Great Honor, Love
and Blessings,
Supreme Master Ching Hai”

“The Shining World
Leadership Award
from
Supreme Master Ching Hai
for the Republic of
South Africa and
her esteemed Department
of Environmental Affairs.
In recognition of
vital conservation,
wisely protecting
seal populations as
a precious national
and global treasure,
and uplifting
our world with inspiring
biodiversity preservation.
With deepest appreciation
and gratitude for your
distinguished foresight
and leadership which
ennobles and elevates
planet Earth.
Presented by
Supreme Master Ching Hai
International Association.”

Along with accepting the
beautiful crystal plaque
and letter from
Supreme Master Ching Hai,
Ms. Ngcaba
and Mr. Mketeni also
received gifts such as
Supreme Master
Ching Hai’s
#1 best-selling book,
“The Dogs in My Life,”
as well as
an array of her lecture
and conference DVDs.

Mr Fundisile Mketeni (m):
I’m glad that we are
recognized globally
on our endeavors to
save the planet, to save
our future here at home.
I’m really humbled
and on behalf of
the department,
I’m saying
thank you very much for
recognizing South Africa
for our efforts.
Still a long way to go,
there is a lot of pressures
out there, but we need
always try to get
that middle ground,
that balancing act so that
we can sustain the future.
Thank you.

Nosipho Ngcaba (f):
On behalf of
the government, I say
thank you for – especially
to Supreme Master –
for at least thinking
about South Africa,
and at least
following their efforts.
Saving the seals is
one success story
amongst a number of
stories that we can tell
in terms of conservation
efforts in South Africa.
I would definitely also
extend the message
to our minister and
the deputy minister.
The plaque will go to
the minister’s office
to make sure that, as she
represents government,
she then gets the message
from Supreme Master.

Certainly, I think
it is very important,
and for South Africa
in particular, we quite
embrace messages that
come from practical
people of the world,
and influential people of
the world, in terms of
how best can we
as the world take action
to reverse
possible dangerous
climate change,
and where possible,
also make sure that we
are prepared to adapt.

And as I see here from
the books and the work of
Supreme Master,
that she seems to be
involved in
disaster relief from floods,
earthquakes, fires, I think
that’s quite commendable.
And we all
as citizens of the world
are supposed to be doing
our little share and make
a contribution in terms of
saving our future.
And in South Africa,
we have a belief
in our campaign to
make sure that
we save tomorrow today.
And we get the message
directly from what
you are reading here
in this plaque that
you have handed over
to the department.
Thank you very much.

HOST:
Thank you, South Africa
and her Department of
Environmental Affairs,
groups and caring citizens,
for all the efforts
for the seals, wildlife,
and the planet.
We also appreciate
Supreme Master Ching Hai
for her support
of such noble endeavors.
May South Africa’s
example be an inspiration
worldwide toward the
end of all animal cruelty
and the vitality of our
Earth and her inhabitants.

Esteemed viewers,
thank you
for your presence
on today’s program.
Please stay tuned to
Supreme Master
Television
for Words of Wisdom,
next right
after Noteworthy News.
May we soon greet
a vegan world, in which
all cherished lives,
human and animal,
may flourish.